The United States President took to the micro-blogging site, Twitter on Tuesday, March 13 to make the announcement.

President Trump also named Gina Haspel as the Director of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Haspel becomes the first woman to occupy the position.

” Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all”, Trump had tweeted.

However, the US President did not immediately give reasons for his decision on the micro-blogging site, but speaking with reporters at the White House, Trump said he respected Tillerson’s “intellect” and said he “got along well with Rex.”

“I think Rex will be much happier now,” Trump said.

Rex Tillerson , former U.S. Secretary of State.

Tillerson did not speak to Trump and is unaware of the reason behind his firing, Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy Steve Goldstein said.

Trump “thought it was the right time for the transition with the upcoming North Korea talks and various trade negotiations,” a senior administration official said as cited by BBC, adding that Trump asked Tillerson to step aside on Friday.

Asked how Tillerson learned of his dismissal, Trump said Tuesday that “Rex and I have been talking about this a long time.” He specifically mentioned the Iran nuclear deal as an example of disagreement.

“We were not really thinking the same,” Trump said. “With Mike Pompeo, we have a similar thought process”, he added.